EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2022 is Here and Runs Through December 30

In last week's episode we shared the complete Foodie Guide for the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays (including our top picks), this week we share everything else you need to know for EPCOT Festival of the Holidays...

Disney rides are getting into the holiday spirit at EPCOT. Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses is a holiday overlay version of this popular ride, featuring Christmas light displays throughout (and a few other Christmas surprises). While over at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind get ready for an all-new holiday remix with a Guardians twist.

The Candlelight Processional is nightly at America Gardens Theatre. It features celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story accompanied by the Voices of Liberty a capella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra with herald trumpets, and choirs that include Disney cast members and local community groups.

Celebrity narrators making their debut this year include Gloria Estefan, Josh Gad, Simu Liu, Mariska Hargitay, Raúl Esparza and Daymond John. See the full line-up of Candlelight Processional celebrity narrators and performance dates on our previous post.

Other Festival of the Holidays highlights include:

• “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season” is an uplifting performance of music celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa on the World Showcase Plaza Stage, with multiple performances daily.
• Global holiday traditions come to life in World Showcase with storytellers, musicians and more. Watch for Las Posadas Celebration featuring Mariachi Cobre at the Mexico pavilion, the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in the Canada pavilion, a Hanukkah storyteller on the promenade between Morocco and France and more storytellers in France, Italy, Japan, Norway and UK.
• Holiday Kitchens offer festive recipes and drinks—from spiced pumpkin punch and cranberry mimosas to slow-roasted turkey with stuffing and pork schnitzel with braised red cabbage. Treats are everywhere, from linzer cookies and maple bûche de noël to chocolate-peppermint donuts.
• Latin-American heritage is celebrated at the all-new Nochebuena Cocina Holiday Kitchen, featuring traditional dishes served during the holiday season. 
• The Holiday Cookie Stroll gives you the opportunity to embark on a sweet adventure. Buy any five cookies from the official Cookie Stroll locations and collect matching stamps in your Festival Passport. Then bring it to Holiday Sweets & Treats and you'll get a specialty cookie.
• Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is on to search for holiday traditions Olaf has gathered from around the world.
• You can Christmas shop at EPCOT with unique shopping from around the globe. 
• And finally, no holiday celebration is complete without visiting Santa. Now through Deceber 24, Santa Claus pays a visit to The Odyssey, giving you the opportunity to say hello, pose for a photo and ask for some items from your Christmas wish list.

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Lunar New Year Celebration and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival are back in 2023

Two festivals return to Disney California Adventure in 2023. The Lunar New Year celebration from January 20 to February 15, 2023, and Disney California Food & Wine Festival from March 3 to April 25, 2023. 

Lunar New Year, January 20 – February 15, 2023

Disney California Adventure will ring in the Lunar New Year with a tribute to Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures with a multicultural celebration. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture, the rabbit has the unique characteristic of waiting for an opportune moment and then leaping into action. The rabbit symbolizes luck. Disney will also be recognizing the Vietnamese zodiac calendar during the Lunar New Year celebration, which marks 2023 as the Year of the Cat.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be there in their festive attire, plus Mulan and Mushu from Mulan.

The centerpiece will be “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” a vibrant performance hosted by Mulan and Mushu, that features dozens of spirited parade performers as they honor family, friendship, and the potential for a fortune-filled new year. For 2023, the procession will be extended throughout all of California Adventure with the parade route from Paradise Gardens through Hollywood Land.

The culinary landscape will expand with two new Lunar New Year marketplaces: Bamboo Blessings and Wrapped with Love. They will join the returning marketplaces, including Lucky 8 Lantern, Prosperity Bao & Buns, Red Spice Traders, and Longevity Noodle Co. With the Sip and Savor pass you can taste you way through six food & non-alcoholic drink selections from participating marketplaces and dining locations.

World of Color's “Hurry Home – Lunar New Year Celebration” is the heartwarming nighttime water show that tells the tale of a little lantern’s quest to reunite with family for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune. Check the Disneyland app for showtimes.

More fun includes crafts, Chinese calligraphy demos and the Lucky Wishes Wall, where you can write your hopes for 2023. More festival items will be at Paradise Garden Grill and Lucky Fortune Cookery.  

Beginning January 20, Raya will be there. Under a forest canopy deep in the heart of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, you may find Raya for a meet and greet.

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, March 3 – April 25, 2023

For 2023 the festival includes 12 marketplaces that feature sweet and savory foods along with cocktails, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. The Sip and Savor pass will be available for purchase at the festival.

Entertainment includes the Jammin’ Chefs, Chef Goofy, and the Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party show. There will be more entertainment on the Palisades Stage and the Paradise Gardens bandstand. Plus there are crafts, free weekend culinary demonstrations, and artist events and signings.

Soarin’ Over California will return for a limited time during the festival. 

There are signature events where you can expand your knowledge on wine, beer and spirits. These include the Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions, Trader Sam’s Mixology Seminars, a Craftsman Grill mixology seminar and a Grand Tasting event at the Disneyland Hotel.

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Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Refurbishment Update: Ka Maka Pool

Ka Maka Pool and Grotto, including Ka Maka whirlpool spa, will be unavailable from December 5 - 9, 2022. Other water features will still be available, including Waikolohe Pool and Stream, the two water slides, multiple whirlpool spas, Keiki Cove splash zone, and Wailana Pool.

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Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

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